Do Porcelain Veneers Look Fake?
Porcelain veneers are a thin application of porcelain glued over the top of your teeth. They're designed to cover up cosmetic imperfections like stains and cracks. Many veneers involve the reduction of the natural teeth in order to accommodate the installation of the porcelain, which means that dental veneers are a permanent addition to your mouth. Before you decide whether or not to get a veneer installed, you should first find out if dental veneers will help you achieve the look of natural, healthy teeth.
Do porcelain veneers look fake?
They shouldn't. Expertly crafted traditional porcelain veneers should look just like natural teeth. In fact, the cosmetic dentist and lab technician who work on the veneers have a surprising amount of control over the shape and appearance of the teeth. Before you begin the process of picking the right porcelain teeth for you, your dentist may have you look at a "smile catalog" which will allow you to choose the type of teeth that you want for your mouth. The differences between the types of teeth will be subtle, but you'll be able to choose from different tooth shapes and colors.
If you're getting veneers for only one or two teeth, your dentist should take responsibility for matching the color of your veneer to the color of the surrounding teeth. This will help ensure that the veneer you get fits in with your mouth.
Are there types of veneers that do look more fake than others?
There is a new type of veneers, called "prepless" veneers, that has a reputation for looking somewhat bulky. While traditional veneers are attached to your enamel after the teeth are reduced in size, prepless veneers are attached to the enamel without a reduction. The advantage of prepless veneers is probably obvious (it's generally better if the dentist doesn't have to file down your teeth), but prepless veneers are not for everyone. Installed on the wrong person, prepless veneers can look bulky. Installed on the right candidate, prepless veneers can look as natural as more traditional veneers. Your dentist will know if you are a good candidate for prepless veneers.
How can you tell if your cosmetic dentist has a good performance record with dental veneers?
Ask your cosmetic dentist to see a portfolio of before and after pictures. A dentist with a good track record should be able to produce something that shows the mouths of patients before and after dental veneers were installed. This way, you can see the quality of the dentist's work for yourself.
For more information about dental veneers and what type of veneers would be right for you, make an appointment with a knowledgeable and experienced cosmetic dentist today.
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